There is a man suing Target corp because he cannot access their web site.
I believe if he wins it would be a disaster. That would mean every web site and blog would have to be usable by blind people. If your blog featuring pictures of your cats is not blind friendly you could be sued.
Does a blind person have a RIGHT to the web?
2006-10-25 06:50:37 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The program that allows the blind to use the web is incompatible with Targets site.
2006-10-25 07:00:43 · update #1
How is this different from the American Disabilities act that state that people with physical disabilities can sue public places that are not wheelchair accessible?
That man should be able to shop where he wants online.
2006-10-25 06:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by Brainiac 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Their are a lot of questions about this in the industry. New federal laws state that any company that does business with the government must meet 'Section 508' standards. This basically means that a blind or otherwise disabled user is able to achieve all of the same goals with the site with more or less the same level of ease. It is acceptable that they be asked to use special software, such as Jaws, to access the web site.
However, if the company does not sell to or contract with the government, there are no laws that say a web site MUST be accessible. That is not to say this man does not have a case, I just don't know if ADA will apply.
Frankly, making a web site accessible is not difficult, does not add significantly to the development cost, and is the responsible thing to do. Target IS WRONG to have made their site inaccessible. Their are many tools and much information available on making site accessible. Making the site accessible usually means the site is better made and better designed. Also, many 'accessible' features and design elements are used by non-disabled people (for example, key stroke short cuts and larger click targets).
2006-10-25 14:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by Wundt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Until now, I wasn't aware the blind COULD access the web. Software is amazing these days... Anyway, if the site is incompatible with the software, then it's not really a big deal. Shoud we sue iTunes for not working with certain movie/song files? No, and I suggest that this man cease the lawsuit. Honestly, to think that people would rather sue a multi-million dollar corporation than admit that they need help reading a webpage...
2006-10-25 14:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by glennthomaswright 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is equipment that he can buy that will allow him to access any web site, and there is probly some government fund that would pay for it....I think he is just using the situation to get money.....Its a shame that people have become so sue happy these days.
Maybe he should be sueing the company that make the program also then. Why just stop at target.
2006-10-25 14:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by yetti 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think a company, in its own best interests, should make its web site(s) as accessible to as many people as possible. Do blind people have a RIGHT to access web sites? Well, as much as anyone, as long as they pay their ISP bill, but having that right doesn't mean they can violate the equal rights of a web site operator by demanding additional features via the force of government.
2006-10-25 13:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Zombie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The law doesn't require you to have a handi capped parking space in your driveway and a ramp to your house, does it? I'm sure it will only effect public websites that are run by corporations and governments agencies.
Good Luck and Take Care
2006-10-25 14:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by escapingmars 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are programs that he can install that will read the website to him. Why sue, when for 50.00s you can fix it yourself?
2006-10-25 13:55:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋